Only a ten minute drive from your romantic Napa Bed and Breakfast Inn, The Inn On First, lies a corporate park of which there are many tasting rooms and even a wine country hotel. We were invited to come and try out the Spelletich Family Wines, SpellWine.com, by daughter and tasting room hostess, Kristen, and her co-host, Miguel. I would be remiss if I forgot to mention the wonderful greeting from Molly, the house dog.

On entering the tasting room you immediately sense how much work they put into the detail of the tasting room, providing a seating area with big, comfy chairs and a coffee table, as well as a large table with bar stools. The colors, the layout, the wine display, have all been carefully crafted together to give you a homey and yet elegant feel to the room. With nuts and crackers on the table we were escorted to our tasting chairs and presented with a menu of wines we were to enjoy for the day. From a crisp and yet creamy Chardonnay, to a lovely, toasty Pinot Noir, and even a taste of their soon to be gone Zinfandel Port.

Barb and Tim Spelletich are the creators of these wines, and surprised us with a French Bordeaux they make. Yes, I said French, not Napa Bordeaux-style. They import the juice from France and make a Bordeaux of their own with Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Wonderful berry notes with a bit of tobacco bring pleasure to the palate as you taste. Then we were given the 3Spells Cabernet Sauvignon, a seductive wine that is soft, with a lot of fruit and very soft on the finish.

We liked everything they poured and, even better, their price point is phenomenal: $10 Chardonnay, $35 Pinot, $22 Bordeaux, and $30 Cabernet. You can’t beat that for these lovely, very enjoyable and drinkable wines. Tasting fees range from $15 to $40 depending on how many and which wines you want to try. I know we all think of vineyards and large wineries with spectacular views as part of the Napa experience, but finding great value and flavor in wine is part of that experience too. The whole winery operation is there, it’s just not surrounded by vineyards. Especially for those who have been to Napa before, or are looking for something new, different, and unusual, I would encourage you to seek out Spelletich Family Wine Company as part of your stay in Napa.

Only 5 minutes from The Inn On First, a romantic Napa Bed and Breakfast Inn, is the Crane Family Vineyards Estate. Sitting on a small hillside, overlooking parts of the city of Napa and the surrounding hillsides, you appreciate that this is a great place to live. In the back of this small property is a barn that serves as the winery, where the Cranes have been producing wine for over 20 years. These are the gems we long to find and so appreciate when they come our way.

Tom Chiarella, son of the founders of the winery (Crane is his mother’s maiden name), is now running the operation and after a tour of the property invites you to sit on the front porch and to taste their wines. An affable fellow who makes you feel comfortable and welcome immediately, he recreates for you a bit of the history of the land, its owners (his parents), and his years in Napa Valley. Over the course of conversation he pours you a glass of their estate Merlot, their Cabernet Sauvignon, Alison’s Cuvee (the winemaker’s play yard of wine with her Cabernet blend that changes every year), and the family Port. These are unpretentious wines presented by an unpretentious host, and it makes for a unique Napa Valley winery experience. They make few cases and don’t have many appointments to offer, but for the wine enthusiast looking to purchase wine Tom is always willing to share a part of his day with you. Prices range from $35 for the Port, and $50 to $80 for their other wines.

By the time your visit is over you will forget that you are so close to the city of Napa. You will be enthralled with the views, the ambience, the friendliness, and the wines. You will understand why we love Napa and its residents. Definitely a gem not to be missed.